Infertility is when a couple is unable to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. It affects approximately 12% of couples, that’s about 7 million American couples. Impaired fecundity, the inability to have a child, affects 6.7 million women in the U.S.—about 11% of the reproductive age population, according to the CDC. They also report that 7.5% of all sexually experienced men younger than age 45 saw a fertility doctor during their lifetime—this equals 3.3–4.7 million men. Of men who sought help, 18% were diagnosed with a male-related infertility problem, including sperm or semen problems (14%) and varicocele (6%).

Women with certain symptoms such as irregular menses or no menses, and women who are 35 years of age or older should also seek care from a specialist sooner. Approximately 40% of infertility cases is attributed to the male partner, 50% to the female partner, and in 10% of cases the cause is unknown. The good news is that at CHA Fertility Center, most will succeed in achieving parenthood with the appropriate medical management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What causes infertility in men?

A man’s sperm count can be influenced by numerous factors. Lifestyle, including the excessive use of nicotine/cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana could have a strong impact on semen parameters. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, and medications could also impact sperm production. Congenital or anatomic abnormalities either from birth or as a result of surgery (hernia repair), hormonal imbalances, genetic conditions (cystic fibrosis), infections (mumps), testicular damage or trauma have all been known to impact sperm production. Inability to ejaculate normally can also prevent conception and can be caused by many factors including surgery of the prostate gland or urethra, diabetes, high blood pressure, medication or impotence. It should be noted that the cause of many cases of male factor infertility are unknown. The good news is that we are able to achieve successful outcomes in most male factor couples.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What factors increase a man's risk of infertility?

The number and quality of a man’s sperm can be affected by his overall health and lifestyle. Factors that may affect sperm count and quality include:

Age

Tobacco use (smoking, cigarettes)

Alcohol

Drugs

Environmental toxins, including pesticides & lead

Medical conditions

Medications

Radiation treatment & chemotherapy for cancer

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What causes infertility in women?

Common causes of infertility in women include abnormalities in ovulation, blockage or disease of the fallopian tubes, and ovarian failure or diminished ovarian reserve. Uterine conditions, such as uterine adhesions and fibroids are conditions that rarely cause infertility. Lifestyle factors such as stress, extreme dieting or athletic training can affect a woman’s hormonal axis and hence result in infertility.

Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid gland abnormalities and pituitary gland tumors can also impact the reproductive system and hence resulting in infertility. Other conditions including endometriosis (the abnormal presence of uterine lining cells in other pelvic organs) and pelvic adhesions have been associated with infertility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What factors increase a woman's risk of infertility?

Many things can affect a woman’s ability to have a baby. These include:

Age – this is by far the biggest factor in female infertility

Tobacco use (smoking, cigarettes)

Alcohol

Stress

Poor diet

Athletic training

Being overweight or underweight

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Health problems that cause hormonal changes

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How does aging decrease a woman's chance of having a baby?

Aging affects a woman’s ability of achieving pregnancy in the following ways:

The ability of a woman’s ovaries to release eggs ready for fertilization declines with age.

The quantity and quality of a woman’s eggs decline with age.

As a woman ages she is more likely to have health problems that can interfere with fertility.

As a women ages, her risk of having a miscarriage increases.

Fortunately, advances in assisted reproductive technology and the thoughtful treatment approaches at CHA Fertility Center helps those who are facing these risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How is infertility tested?

The first step in seeking treatments for infertility is to go through thorough infertility testing for both the man and the woman.

Generally, the first question we at CHA Fertility Center is whether the woman is regularly ovulating each month. This can be done by charting changes in morning body temperature using an FDA-approved home ovulation test kit (available over the counter), by a blood test for hormone levels, or by an ultrasound of the ovaries. At CHA Fertility Center, we prescribe these and other common tests to evaluate female infertility including:

Hormonal Testing: This may include assessment of ovarian reserve, thyroid function and prolactin levels.

Hysterosalpingogram: This procedure involves an X-ray to investigate the shape of the uterine cavity and the fallopian tubes after they are injected with dye.

Laparoscopy: A miniature light-transmitting tube, also known as laparoscope, exams the tubes and other female organs for disease. Usually under general anesthesia, the tube is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision below the navel.

Hysteroscopy: A miniature light-transmitting camera is inserted into the uterine cavity to evaluate for the presence of polyps, adhesions or fibroids, which can interfere with fertility.

At CHA Fertility Center, we understand that treatment of infertility varies for all couples depending on the information gathered from the consultation and the diagnostic testing. Common treatments include ovulation induction, which could be done with Clomid, a medication taken orally for five days in the beginning of a woman’s cycle. If appropriate, ovulation induction could also be done with gonadotropins, which are hormonal medications delivered through small injection shots. An intrauterine insemination (IUI) may also be recommended depending on the semen parameters.

If ovulation induction and IUI is not an option due to female and/or male factors or has previously not been effective, the next option for treatment would be in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF offers the highest percentage of success rate and every protocol is customized to address the specific needs of the patient. Conditions that are amenable to surgical correction are approached through surgery. Surgeries involving a woman’s ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus are recommended only if there is a good chance of restoring fertility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is what is known as a “test tube baby.” Introduced in the Unites States in 1981, in vitro fertilization is the most common assisted reproductive technology procedure where medications are given to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature oocytes (eggs). Once the follicles containing these oocytes are at a certain size, the eggs are removed from a woman’s body using a small needle. The eggs are then assessed for maturity and quality and then fertilized with the partner’s sperm in the embryology lab. The resulting embryos are grown for 3 to 5 days and then returned back to the woman’s uterus. A pregnancy test is performed approximately 10 days later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is in vitro fertilization expensive?

According to the ASRM, the average cost of an IVF cycle in the United States is $12,400. IVF involves highly trained professionals with sophisticated laboratories and equipment. IVF only accounts for 0.03% of U.S. healthcare costs. At Cha Fertility Center, we offer various competitive and flexible payment options to address our patient’s individual situations. See our Pricing and Financial Options for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does in vitro fertilization work?

Yes. In vitro fertilization currently accounts for more than 99% of ART procedures with GIFT, ZIFT and combination procedures making up the remainder. According to the CDC, the live birth rate for assisted reproductive technologies per retrieval cycle in 2012 was 29%, significantly better than the 20% chance in any given month that a reproductively healthy couple has achieving a pregnancy and carrying it to term. In 2012, more than 1.5% of all babies born in the U.S. were a result of IVF—that’s over 59,000 IVF babies—and this trend is only growing. We at CHA Fertility Center are proud to be at the forefront of assisted reproductive technology advances to continue to increase these success rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Testimonials

Dr. Berger and his staff have been really great to us. Dr. Berger is attentive, thorough, and well educated. Having a doctor and his staff, in my case, Ana, there for you basically 24/7, answering any questions and concerns outside of business hours tells you the quality of patient care … Read More

— Maria C.

I had a wonderful experience at CHA Fertility Clinic and got pregnant on my first cycle. My son will turn two this year and I immediately contacted them when we were thinking of having a second child. The doctors and staff are so kind, informative, and helpful, and they really put my mind at ease. We had looked at other fertility clinics … Read More

— Hana

I am three weeks away from my due date anxiously awaiting for the arrival of my daughter…. From the initial consult to my final sendoff, this office has been amazing…. I will forever be thankful for all that you have done for not only me, but my entire family who is already so in love with… Read More

— Julie G.

My wife and I had been married for fourteen years and we had used numerous infertility doctors and procedures. After just one attempt with CHA, we are proud to announce we have a beautiful son and our lives could not be any happier… Read More

— Neil and Rajini

I would recommend CHA Fertility Center to anyone trying to get pregnant. My mom told me about CHA and when I met Dr. Berger, I was happy. He is very personable and knowledgeable. This was my first attempt … Read More

— JS

From the first day, we met Dr.Berger it felt like he will be the one. Successful pregnancy. His personality and warmth was comforting. And I felt like he was a Doctor. He listened to me. He is the one. And today I am very happily … Read More

— AK

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